Mobile Network Time Distribution

1. A method for synchronizing time distribution of a mobile network that includes a plurality of network components operating in a hierarchical fashion, wherein each said component includes a time sub-system clock that is updated using a network time protocol (NTP) program included in each said component, and wherein a first NTP sub-program is used for making incremental changes to each said component time sub-system clock, said method comprising: booting up all of said network components such that execution of said first NTP sub-program is delayed; executing a second NTP sub-program for making greater than incremental changes to each said component time sub-system clock to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock with a respective parent component time sub-system clock; and maintaining synchronization of each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock utilizing said first NTP sub-routine.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein initially synchronizing each said component further comprises: remaining idle for a predetermined amount of time if execution of said second NTP sub-program fails to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock; and repeating the execution of said second NTP sub-program after remaining idle for the predetermined amount of time.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein initially synchronizing each said component further comprises repeating the remaining idle for a predetermined amount of time and the executing said second NTP sub-program after remaining idle for the predetermined amount of time until initial synchronization with said respective parent component time sub-system clock is accomplished.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein maintaining synchronization of each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock comprises iteratively executing said first NTP sub-program once initial synchronization with said respective parent component time sub-system clock has been accomplished.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein initially maintaining synchronization of each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock comprises iteratively executing said first NTP sub-program if the initial synchronization is successful.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein maintaining synchronization of each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock comprises iteratively executing said first NTP sub-program.

7. A communication system that synchronizes time distribution among a plurality of system components, wherein each said component comprises a time sub-system clock, said system comprising: a terrestrial network, wherein one of said components includes a satellite gateway network time protocol (NTP) server having said time sub-system clock synchronized with a master clock; and a mobile network comprising a plurality of said components operating in a hierarchical fashion, one of said components including a control sub-system (CS) NTP server adapted to communicate with said satellite gateway NTP server, wherein each said component time sub-system clock is adapted to: boot up such that execution of a first NTP sub-program for making incremental changes to said component time sub-system clock is delayed; initially synchronize said component time sub-system clock with a respective parent component time sub-system clock; and maintain synchronization of said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to execute a second NTP sub-program for making greater than incremental changes to each said component time sub-system clock.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to: remain idle for a predetermined amount of time if execution of said second NTP sub-program fails to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock; and repeat execution of said second NTP sub-program after remaining idle for the predetermined amount of time.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to: repeat remaining idle for a predetermined amount of time and executing said second NTP sub-program after remaining idle for the predetermined amount of time until initial synchronization with said respective parent component time sub-system clock is accomplished.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein to maintain synchronization of said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to iteratively execute said first NTP sub-program once initial synchronization with said respective parent component time sub-system clock has been accomplished.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein to maintain synchronization of said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to iteratively executing said first NTP sub-program if the initial synchronization is successful.

13. The system of claim 7 , wherein to maintain synchronization of each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock, each said component is further adapted to iteratively execute said first NTP sub-program.

14. A method for synchronizing time distribution of a mobile network that includes a plurality of network components, wherein each said component includes a time subsystem clock that is updated using a network time protocol (NTP) program, and wherein a first NTP sub-program is used for making incremental changes to each said component time sub-system clock, said method comprising: operating said components in a hierarchical fashion; booting up all said components such that execution of said first NTP sub-program is delayed; iteratively executing a second NTP sub-program for making greater than incremental changes to each said component time sub-system clock until each said component time sub-system clock establishes an initial synchronization with a parent component time sub-system clock; and iteratively executing said first NTP sub-program once initial synchronization is established such that each said component time sub-system clock maintains synchronization with said parent component time sub-system clock.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein iteratively executing said second NTP sub-program comprises remaining idle for a predetermined amount of time if execution of said second NTP sub-program fails to initially synchronize each said component time sub-system clock with said respective parent component time sub-system clock.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein iteratively executing said second NTP sub-program further comprises repeating the execution of second NTP sub-program after remaining idle for the predetermined amount time.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein iteratively executing said second NTP sub-program further comprises repeating the remaining idle for a predetermined amount of time and the executing of said second NTP sub-program until initial synchronization with said respective parent component time sub-system clock is accomplished.